1. II-6 Joint Exploration for Collecting Guineagrass (Panicum maximum JACQ.) and Rhodesgrass (Chloris gayana KUNTH)
- Author
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KIKOPA, Robert and KUSEKWA, M. L.
- Abstract
1. Exploration for collecting guineagrass, rhodesgrass, and other tropical grasses had been made twice in the East Africa by Japanese mission before we made trip to Tanzania. The following accessment of the guineagrass accessions showed that they include various types with great genetic diversity of characteristics and one diploid sexual line which is the maternal line of cultivar, Natsukaze. And distribution of guineagrass biotypes collected by French missions and Japanese missions showed that the primary center of genetic diversity in guineagrass is Kenya and Tanzania. 2. The first objective of our joint exploration for collecting guineagass and rhodesgrass in Tanzania is to collect germplasm of these two tropical grasses with great genetic diversity for conservation purpose and for utilizaiton of the materials for breeding purpose in Tanzania and Japan. The second objective of the project is to forge collaboration in forage evaluation, utihzation, and conservation between Japan and Tanzarna. 3. We visited l' ORSTOM (Office de la Recherche Scientifique et Technique Outre-Mer), Adiopodoume,Abidjan, Cote d' Ivire. Most of the pioneering works on quineagrass breeding have been made in the experiment station. They preserves about 2,000 accessions of guineagrass in the field. We obtained information about the history of guineagrass breeding in l' ORSTOM and discussed the flowering habitat, methods of harvesting seed, crossing procedure, and the characteristics and the distribution of guineagrass with Dr. NOIROT and Mr. ASINAN. We observed preserved germplasm and bred lines of guineagrass in the field. We are surprised to know that the diploid sexual plants of their collection are, so to speak, giant type and perennial although our diploid sexual plant is annual. 4. We discussed the schedule of exploration for collecting germplasm with Drs. KIKOPA and KUSEKWA at the office of Tanzania Livestock Research Organization. As we need to obtain clearance from Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Developmant of the United Republic of Tanzania for bringing out the germplasm from Tanzania, Drs. KUSEKWA and NAKAGAWA drafted the project proposal for joint exploration for collecting guineagrass and rhodesgrass and evaluation of these germplasm. The contents of the project are as follows. The collected seeds were separated into two parts for both countries. One part will be brought out to Japan. In Tanzania, the half of another part will be stored at the National Gene Bank established on April, 1990, and the other half will be grown in nursery for evaluation. In 1990 to 1992, we will exchange information about characteristics of the collections. 5 . We drove over 6,000km in Tanzania for 3 weeks. And we collected 116 accessions of guineagrass, 23 accessions of rhodesgrass, 15 accessions of other tropical grasses and legumes. The altitude of the collection cites ranged from 1-1, 560m (Table 1). Collections had great genetic diversity and they included both short type and giant type. They include GR297 type (a diploid sexual plant), too. In the field of Livestock Production Research Institute, Mpwapwa and near the Lake Nyasa, we found a lot of inflorescences of guineagrass were infected by smut and we did not collect seeds near the places. We planned to collect a lot of guineagrass germplasm in the area between Dodoma and Iringa. We, however, could not drive there, because there came a strong thunder shower when we arrived at Dodoma. 6. During our trip, we visited Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Pasture Research Center, Kongwa, and Livestock Production Research Institute, Mpwapwa. In Sokoine University of Agriculture, Prof. MPHURU, Dean of Faculty of Agriculture explained the history of the university and its organazation. Then Mr. Magadu DAIRYUNIT explained his work on the exploration for collecting napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum SCHUMACH) germplasm in Tanzania and Malawi, evaluation of the germplasm, and the management of forage grasses and legumes. He is interested in napiergrass, its interspecific hybrids with pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) K. SCHIUM.), and guatemalagrass (Tripasum laxum NASH). He is also interested in various tropical legumes mainly studied in Australia. In Pasture Research Center, Kongwa, Mr. E. S. M. SHIRIMA showed the grasslands mainly covered by buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.). They are interested in the introduction of tropical legumes in the grassland. In Livestock Production Research Institute, Mpwapwa, we observed some projects of grassland management and the seed harvest of buffelgrass by hand. 7. We visited Langvila Seed Production Project in which Mr. KANDA who is a senior volunteer of JOCV is working with Tanzanian researchers in Mbeya. They procuce the seed of rhodesgrass, Colored guineagraas (Panicum coloratum L.), Greenleaf desmodium (Desmodium intortum (MILL.) URB.) and some Stylosanthes species. Mbeya is a very pecurior place because tropical and tem and temperate grasses can grow well as perennial plants though the most serious problems in the seed production for them is summer floods and winter drought. We gave some suggestions for them regarding the weed and pest control. We also visited Kilimanjaro Agricultural Development Project and observed paddy fields of rice. 8. In Tanzania, One of the most important researches is to introduce tropical legumes to probably buffelgrass pastures and improve productivity of the grassland. There are some problems to solve, such as breeding of cattle, selection of adopted species of grasses and legumes, and seed production for the farmers, etc. Japanese researchers and Tanzanian reseachers will be able to cooperate and exchange information on some problems. As in the project proposal, evaluation test of accessions will be conducted both in Mpwapwa and in Ishigaki, and exchange of information obtained from the assessment will be made in the near future. 9. Authors wish to express their sincere gratitude to the authorities and scientists in Sokoine University of Aguriculture, Pasture Reseaech Center, and Livestock Production Research Institute for the arrangement of our visit and their cooperation. Authers also wish to express their sincere gratitude to Mr. KANADA, Mr TSUTSUI, Deputy Director of JICA Tanzania, and Dr. HORIBATA, Senior Scientist of Kilimanjaro Agriculture Development Project for ther assistance of collection and to Embassies of Japan in Cote d' Ivoir, in Kenya, and in Tnazania, JICA Offices in Kenya, and JETRO Offices in Cote d' Ivoir, in Kenya, and in Tanzania for their useful suggestions and helps for our trip.
- Published
- 1990